"The brand new Association of Virtual Worlds has as its mission to provide a leadership environment for companies and individuals passionate about the future of virtual worlds and as such it makes perfect sense to be the first such association to offer its members an exciting virtual world of their own," says founder Edita Kaye.

Dave Elchoness, Executive Director explains, "Providing a virtual world environment is the next step--beyond Web 2.0 with its signature social networks--into Web 3-D. Why create a virtual world for members? To provide a real-time environment for meetings, conferences, and collaboration, and social interaction and engagment with less cost, disruption, and environmental impact than physical travel. It doesn't matter if you want to meet someone from around the world or the office next door, the Association of Virtual Worlds will help make it happen in a setting that feels 'in person'."

The virtual world environment planned by the Association of Virtual Worlds is being designed for both the virtual worlds veteran as well as the new-comer to the virtual experience. It will be web-based, user-friendly, will require no special download or strain on bandwidth, just web access.

"If a member can use the Internet, that member will be able to use the virtual world currently on the Association of Virtual Worlds drawing board,"adds Elchoness.

The Association of Virtual Words is a global industry association for the rapidly growing virtual worlds industry. It serves as a resource for those wishing to experiment and explore virtual worlds for work or play. The Association's mission is to educate, network, recruit, and further the membership's collective goals.